Effects of Intestinal Microbiota on Exercise Performance in Mice

• Main Authors: Yi-Ju Hsu, 徐藝洳
• Other Authors: Chi-Chang Huang
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/87985779276459017490

碩士 === 國立體育大學 === 運動科學研究所 === 102 === Purpose: The intestinal microbiota is considered to be an important environmental factor associated with host metabolism and physiology. Several studies have indicated that the gut microbiota is involved in oxidative stress production. On the other hand, antioxidant enzymes are a key to exercise capacity and anti-fatigue in athletes. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between intestinal bacteria and exercise performance. Methods: We examined exercise performance indexes including gross found, the swim to exhaustion exercise test, blood chemistry, and antioxidant enzymes in specific pathogen free (SPF), germ-free (GF), and Bacteroides fragilis (BF) gnotobiotic mice. Results: The weights of liver, muscle, brown adipose, and epididymal fat pads were significantly higher in the SPF and BF mice than GF mice. The exhaustive swimming time of the SPF and BF mice was significantly longer as compared to that of GF mice. In contrast, serum uric acid was lower in SPF and BF mice. In the serum, the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) in SPF mice was significantly higher than in GF mice. However, serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) was lower in the BF mice. In the liver, the significantly elevated of GPx levels was found in the SPF mice than in GF and BF mice. Conclusions: Different microbial statuses might regulate antioxidant enzyme defense system such as GPx and CAT activity to reduce physical fatigue and improved exercise performance.